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SEPARABLE BOOKOASEQ No 557,736. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0. H. L WERNIGKE & M. 0. BURR. SEPARABLE BOOKGASE.

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No. 557,736. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

(No Model.)

Auunzw BilAMMfNUTO-UIHU wAsmNGmwnd UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTOll. L. XYERNICKE AND MELBOURNE O. BURR, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MIN- XESOTA,ASSIGNORS TO THE WERNIOKE 00., OF SAME PLACE.

SEPARABLE BOOKCASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,736, dated April 7,1896.

Application filed June 23, 189A.

T0 66 whom iZ'? may concern.-

Be it known that we, Orro H. LWERNICKE and MELBOURXE O. Bonn, ofMinneapolis, l'lennepin county, State of Minnesota, have invented acertain new and Improved Separable Bookcase, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to a bookcase composed of separable parts andwhich may be increased in size by the addition of like parts.

The object of our invention is to provide a bookcase of several box orcrate like parts wherein the books may be placed and carried, thebookcase being dissembled by the removal of these crates or boxes one byone or assembled and completed by the placing of several of the cratesor boxes one upon the other.

The particular object of our invention is to so construct the boxes orcases that the top strips or boards of one will merge into the bottom ofthe next one or lap with respect to the same, whereby the intermediatepartitions or shelves will be of single thickness to the end that thebook-shelves may occupy less space, that they may be locked firmly uponone another, and in all constitute a very strong case.

A further object of our invention is to provide means for lockingtogether the abutting ends of separable sections where two or more tiersof the sections are employed.

A further object of our invention is to provide means for supporting theseveral tiers and for giving them an even finish at the top.

A further object is to provide means which, while being ornamental, willsupply a grip or handle upon each end of each section or crate, wherebythe same, with the books therein, may be lifted.

To this end our invention consists in the construction and combinationof parts, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out inthe claims, and will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofabookcase embodying our invention mounted upon a suitable base. Fig. 2is a perspective view showing the means for fastening the cratestogether when two or more sections are used.

Serial No. 515,476. (No model.)

Fig. 6 is a transverse'section of the crate,

showing the supporting-bar for the glass door the door and the barsupporting it being shown by dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a view of one endof the glass door, showing a pin adapted to slide in one of thelongitudinal slots in the top of the crate. Fig. 8 is a perspective viewof a crate, showing the glass door pulled out. Fig. 9 is a perspectiveView of two crates joined together and showing handles upon each end ofeach crate.

As shown in the drawings, 1 represents a crate or box of any suitablematerial and size for holding books of ordinary dimensions.

2 represents the ends of the crate; 3,the back, having its ends suitablysecured to the end pieces 2 and its upper edge extending slightly abovethem. To form a bottom for the crate, we provide the slats 4 and 5. Theslat 4 is secured to the lower end of the end pieces 2, so that itsouter edge is substantially flush with the inner edge of the back of thecrate, and the slat 5 is arranged so that its outer edge issubstantially flush with the front edge of the end pieces 2. These slatsdo not form a solid bottom; but a space 6 is provided between them.

Across the top of the crate and connecting the end pieces 2 we providethe slat 7, which is adapted to fit closely into the space 6 between andinterlock with the slats at and 5 in the bottom of a superimposed crate,thereby forming a solid bottom for the next succeeding crate and lockingthe two together. Vheu one crate is placed upon another, theupwardly-extending edge of the back of the lower crate will lap over thelower edge of the back of the crate above, thereby closing the crackbetween the two crates and making a tight joint. The ends of the cratemaybe provided on the inside with the transverse grooves 8, arrangedpreferably near the top of the crate and extending entirely across it,as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Longitudinal slots 9 are pro- ICO vided inthe bottom of said groove, as shown in Fig. 5. A glass door 10, having asuitable frame, is arranged to slide in the grooves S, and each end ofthe door is provided with a pin 11, that is adapted to slide in theslots 9 in the bottom of the grooves S, and when the door is pulled outto the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6 the pins form hinges forthe door to swing upon.

The outer ends of the slots 9 turn upward and extend to the top of thecrate, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the door may be removed from thecrate. The door is also provided with suitable knobs 12 to aid inopening and closing it, and a catch 13 is provided upon the inside ofthe crate to hold the door in position when it is closed.

On the inner side of one of the ends 2 and preferably near the middlethereof we provide a second transverse groove 14, and a suitable slat 15is provided that is adapted to slide in the groove 14: and is held andguided therein by the plate 16, secured to the inside of the end 2 overthe groove 14:. "When the slat 15 is drawn out, it forms a support forthe glass door, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, so that a person maystand before the case and read with the book resting upon the glassdoor. \Vhen it is desired to make a longer bookcase, as shown in Fig. 1,by placing the ends of several crates together we provide means forjoining the ends of the sections, so that they will be rigidly connectedand not be twisted out of position by any unevenness in the floor.Downwardly-extending slots 17 are provided in the upper side of one endof adjoining crates. These slots are arranged to coincide when the endsof the two crates are placed together, thereby forming one slot whichextends through the end from one crate to the other. A staple 18 isprovided that is adapted to fit into this slot, so that one leg or prongwill be on the inside of one crate and the other leg upon the inside ofthe adjoining crate, thereby clamping the two crates together, as shownin Fig. 2.

A suitable ornamental molding is provided to conceal the ends of theslats on the bottom of the crates or boxes, and vertical strips 19,suitably finished, may be provided upon the front of the end pieces 2 togive a finished appearance to the case, and in combination with thevertical grooves 30, provided in the end pieces 2, to make a handle bywhich the crate may be easily moved from place to place or detached fromthe crate beneath. \Ve do not, however, confine ourselves to this styleof handle, as any style suitable for this purpose may be used.

The crates, when placed together to form a bookcase, may be supportedupon a base of any suitable design. Upon the top of the base 21 and atthe back thereof we provide a slat 22, running the entire length of thebase. Openings or spaces are provided upon each side of the slat 22 andinto which the slats 4: and 5 on the bottom of the superimposed crateare adapted to fit, thereby filling the spaces in the top of the baseand at the same time forming a bottom for the crate or box. A secondcrate is placed upon the first in the manner previously described, andthe process is continued until the bookcase has been carried to thedesired height.

A molding may be carried around the top of the last crate or asolidpiece placed thereon to give a finished appearance to the top of thebookcase. The exposed ends of the crates are preferably made of hardwood suitably polished and with moldings on the front edges. The exposededges of the slats in the front of the case are finished in a suitablemanner or provided with ornamental moldings, or any suitable means maybe employed for ornamenting and finishing the case without departingfrom the spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. A bookcase, comprising a box or crate, aremovable door pivotally supported by the ends of said box and arrangedto slide in the bearings provided therein, a slide 15 carried by one endof said box and arranged to be drawn out to form a support for saiddoor, for the purpose set forth.

2. A bookcase, comprising a box or crate, the ends of said crate beingprovided with transverse rabbets S, the sliding door having its endssupported on the shoulders formed by said rabbets, the ends of saidcrates being also provided with grooves or slots to receive the pin orlug provided on the ends of said door, said grooves having an upwardextension at the front of said crate or box, said pins or lugs forminghinges upon which said door when drawn forward may be swung down tocover the front of said crate or box, and means carried by said crate orbox for supporting said door in an inclined position, substantially asdescribed.

3. A bookcase, comprising a box or crate having an open front, andhaving horizontal rabbets formed on the inside of its ends directlybelow the top of the crate, a door having its ends arranged to slide insaid rabbets whereby the door may be turned into a horizontal positionand then shoved back under the top wall of the crate, and lugs forminghinges upon which the door may be drawn out and then swung down to coverthe front of the crate, substantially as described. Y

4. A bookcase, comprising a series of crates or boxes arranged one abovethe other, each of said crates being provided with ahorizontally-suspended door arranged to slide in grooves provided in theends of said crates, said doors being adapted, when drawn forward, toswing down to cover the front of their respective crates, said groovesbeing provided near the front of each crate with an their forward endwith an upward extension to permit the removal of said door when drawn I5 to the front of the case and after the removal of the superimposedcrate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 6th day ofJune, A. D. 18941.

OTTO H. L. WERNIOKE. MELBOURNE C. BURR.

In presence of- O. G. HAWLEY, FREDERICK S. LYON.

